BY PASTOR T. O. BANSO
“Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important” (Philippians 2:12a New Living Translation).
Instructions help in carrying out any assignment successfully. The entire Bible is a book of instructions from God. The Epistles are, particularly, books of instructions to the church.
Paul, writing to the Philippians in the scripture above, referred to the previous instructions he had given them. “Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important” (Philippians 2:12a New Living Translation).
Saul disobeyed God’s instruction through Samuel and did not utterly destroy the Amalekites. 1 Samuel 15:24 says, “Then Saul admitted to Samuel, ‘Yes, I have sinned. I have disobeyed your instructions and the Lord’s command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded’” (New Living Translation). God took the kingdom from him and gave it to David, a man after His heart (1 Samuel 15:28; 28:17-19).
Earlier in 1 Samuel 13, Saul had violated Samuel’s instruction to wait for him seven days at Gilgal to offer a sacrifice. By the seventh day, Samuel had not arrived. When Saul saw the people scattered from him, he intruded into the office of a priest on the seventh day, offering a sacrifice that was not his responsibility. He should have continued to wait because Samuel arrived shortly after he offered the sacrifice. “And Samuel said to Saul, ‘You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the Lord your God, which He commanded you. For now the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you’” (1 Samuel 13:13-14 New King James Version).
David instructed his son, Solomon, before he died, especially about building the Temple. He said in 1 Chronicles 22:11, “Now, my son, may the Lord be with you; and may you prosper, and build the house of the Lord your God, as He has said to you” (New King James Version). 1 Chronicles 28 also contains detailed instructions to Solomon about the temple project. These instructions, no doubt, helped Solomon.
The following instructions shall be helpful to workers in the house of God
1. Be sure that you’re born again. There is no point in being a worker in the house of God if you’re not born again. You must be born again first before your service can be meaningful. Your salvation is more important than the work you want to do in church. Don’t pretend or be ashamed if you have never given your heart to Jesus. You should have given your heart to Jesus before you became a worker. But it is better late than never.
Nicodemus was a teacher in Israel, yet he didn’t even understand the meaning of being born again when Jesus told him he must be born again. Jesus explained it to him (John 3:1-21). Thereafter, this Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin became a secret disciple of Jesus, defending Him before the Sanhedrin and joined Joseph of Arimathea to bury Him (John 7:50-51; 19:38-39). Therefore, don’t be embarrassed. Give your heart to Jesus if you haven’t, no matter how many years you’ve been a church worker.
How do you get born again? Romans 10:10 says, “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (New King James Version).
If you are not born again, you need to give your heart to Jesus now. Take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner, and cannot save yourself, and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your heart. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church. There, they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me, and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You must join a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching, and Bible-practising church where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be.
2. Have the right motive for wanting to be a church worker. It is possible to serve God with the wrong motive. Paul says in Philippians 1:16 that some people preached the gospel because they loved him, knowing he had been appointed to defend the Good News. But he says in verse 17, “Those others do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me” (New Living Translation).
Some people have ulterior motives for joining the workers in the church. They are dangerous to the church and have no reward from God for their labour. Human beings look at the eyes, but God looks at the heart. God is concerned about our motives more than our actions. Proverbs 20:27 says, “The Lord’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive” (New Living Translation). Also, Proverbs 16:2 says, “People may be pure in their own eyes, but the Lord examines their motives” (New Living Translation).
Paul said, “For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts” (1 Thessalonians 2:4 New Living Translation). Note that last sentence: He alone examines the motives of our hearts. Everyone must have the right motives for serving in the kingdom of God. Let your motives for doing the work of God be right.
Don’t be a pretender. Be real. Be sincere. “Now therefore, fear the Lord, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord!” (Joshua 24:14 New King James Version). Don’t be a hypocrite. Job 15:34a says the company of hypocrites would be barren or desolate. Don’t be a hypocrite in the house of God.
The pastor may not know your motive, but remember that 1 Corinthians 4:5 says that when the Lord comes, He will bring our deepest secrets to light and reveal our private motives. What will be your reward when the Lord comes? Jesus says in Revelation 22:12, “Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds” (New Living Translation).
3. Prepare yourself prayerfully for every assignment in the house of God. Every church work is spiritual, including sweeping the house of God and cleaning the toilet. Therefore, take it seriously. The devil is against anything that concerns God, so we need to pray about different issues concerning our work in the house of God. Lift your assignment before God in prayer.
In Luke 18, Jesus spoke a parable that men always ought to pray and not lose heart. Paul says, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17 American Standard Version). Never stop praying. The focus of the prayer may vary from time to time or depend on the assignment. But no matter what, we cannot do without prayer.
4. Trust in the Lord to do the work well. Focus on the Lord, not yourself. Don’t depend on your wisdom, skill, or experience. Self-confidence or over-confidence is destructive. If you’re afraid of not doing it well, confess your fear to God and ask for His help. By faith, declare that you will succeed. Confess that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you (Philippians 4:13). David said, “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you” (Psalm 56:3 New Living Translation). Put your trust in God. Beware of self-confidence.
There is nothing wrong with being well educated, even having a PhD or being a Professor, but minus the grace of God, failure is inevitable. Every church worker must, therefore, depend on the grace of God. Paul says, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10 New King James Version). You need the grace of God to do His work. God told Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” (New King James Version). If you trust in Him, you will find His grace sufficient for you in the work you do for Him in His house and, indeed, your life.
5. Don’t be carnal or worldly about the work of God. Beware of carnality as you serve God. Romans 8:6-8: “For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (New King James Version).
To be carnally minded means to allow the sinful nature to control your mind or to act like non-Christians or sinners. Paul described the Corinthian Christians as carnal (1 Corinthians 3:4-5). The New Living Translation renders it thus: “Aren’t you acting just like people of the world?”(1 Corinthians 3:4b). So, carnality is acting unchristianly.
Among any group of church workers where there is carnality, you’ll find envy, strife, division, etc. These were present in the Corinthian church. These and other forms of carnality are present in many Christian assemblies today. This should not be so.
Paul says about the Corinthians: “For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, ‘I am of Paul,’ and another, ‘I am of Apollos,’ are you not carnal?”(1 Corinthians 3:3-4 New King James Version).
Playing politics in church or any workers’ group in the church is part of carnality. Promote cooperation, not division. Be a team player. Don’t be a lone ranger or a divisive person. No single person can do the work of God alone. You’ll always work among and with people. Despite the differences in our backgrounds, preferences, idiosyncrasies, etc., we must learn how to get along with others. It is one of the most important requirements for success in any assignment, and, indeed, in life.
As you work in the house of God, avoid carnality. Don’t seek self-promotion or self-glorification. God must increase and you must decrease (John 3:30). Don’t touch God’s glory.
Working in the house of God in any capacity is not for exhibitionism. It is not to show off but to show forth His praises. Psalm 79:13 says, “So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, will give You thanks forever; we will show forth Your praise to all generations” (New King James Version).
6. Do practical preparation to equip yourself or improve your performance. It may be reading books relevant to your assignment or department. Knowledge is power. As great as Paul was, he never stopped reading. Even in prison, he wrote to Timothy: “Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments” (2 Timothy 4:13 New King James Version). The New Living Translation renders parchments as papers. So the books, especially the papers, were important to Paul. He was a reader. People say readers are leaders, but I would rather say leaders are readers.
Daniel was also a reader. He said, “In the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem” (Daniel 9:2 New King James Version). His understanding came from reading. If he hadn’t read the writings of the Prophet Jeremiah, he wouldn’t have learnt from the word of the LORD, as recorded by Jeremiah, that Jerusalem must lie desolate for seventy years.
Read books, especially those relevant to your assignment in the house of God, and practise to improve yourself. If you need to go for training, go for it. For instance, a singer, an instrumentalist, or a children’s teacher, etc., can go for further training to improve himself for service in God’s house, whether self-sponsored or church sponsored. This is an investment towards advancing the kingdom of God on earth.
7. Have a plan. Don’t do anything disorderly in the house of God. Plan. God is a master planner. We saw how He created the heavens and the earth. Psalm 102:25 says, “Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Your hands” (New King James Version). God didn’t do the work of creation haphazardly. He planned everything and created different things each day for six days, resting on the seventh day.
Planning doesn’t mean you should be rigid and not be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit to do something different. Paul said in Jude 3, “Dear friends, I had been eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we all share. But now I find that I must write about something else, urging you to defend the faith that God has entrusted once for all time to his holy people” (New Living Translation). Did you see that Paul had a plan? But he had to change it, yielding to the Holy Spirit.
Prayerfully have a plan for how you intend to go about your assignment; nevertheless, be flexible in the hands of the Holy Spirit. For instance, it is wrong not to prepare what you want to teach the children, and always say that you leave everything to the Holy Spirit. Sometimes when some people say, “Let the Holy Spirit take control”, they’re only trying to hide their laziness under spirituality! Why not sit down with the Holy Spirit to work out a plan ahead? Planning does not mean taking over control from the Holy Spirit. Plan, but know that the Holy Spirit can change it.
Proverbs 21:5 says, “Good planning and hard work lead to prosperity, but hasty shortcuts lead to poverty” (New Living Translation). Any enterprise is built by wise planning, as the Living Bible puts Proverbs 24:3. Plan, but don’t be rigid. Yield to the Holy Spirit.
8. Pursue excellence. Strive to give God your best, whether your service is in the limelight or the background. That’s why you must read, plan, and practise. Ecclesiastes 9:10 says, “Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave, there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom” (New Living Translation).
Don’t be content with mediocrity, even if your service does not receive people’s attention. You are not serving man but God, and He will reward you. God’s name is excellent (Psalm 8:1, 9). He is excellent in power (Job 37:23). His greatness is excellent (Psalm 150:2). Give Him excellent service. Without trying to compete with anybody, give God the best you can at every point in time. He deserves it.
Colossians 1:16 says, “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him” (New King James Version). The twenty-four elders in heaven also confirmed this saying, “You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” (Revelation 4:11 New King James Version).
Psalm 100:3 says, “Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture”(New King James Version). Acknowledge that you exist for Him and give Him the best service in return as a mark of honour to Him.
9. Be faithful. Faithfulness means being loyal, devoted, trustworthy, and dependable. Can God depend on you to do your work appropriately in His house? Are you there today, but will you disappear tomorrow? That is not faithfulness. 1 Corinthians 4:2 says, “Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful” (New Living Translation). The Bible says about the men who worked to repair the temple of the LORD in the days of Josiah, “And the men did the work faithfully” (2 Chronicles 34:12 New King James Version).
A leader should look for faithfulness in people, above any other impressive quality, before appointing them. Nehemiah said, “I gave the responsibility of governing Jerusalem to my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah, the commander of the fortress, for he was a faithful man who feared God more than most” (Nehemiah 7:2 New Living Translation).
Paul told Timothy, “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2 New King James Version). The New Living Translation uses “trustworthy” instead of “faithful”.
Jesus dealt with faithfulness and unfaithfulness in the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 and the parable of the ten minas in Luke 19:11-27. Faithful servants were rewarded, and the unfaithful were punished. “A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished” (Proverbs 28:20 New King James Version).
Luke 16:10-12 says, “He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in what is another man’s, who will give you what is your own?” (New King James Version).
Church workers must be faithful to God, their pastors, and heads of departments, and faithful in using their gifts and talents. They should emulate the examples of faithful people in the Bible. God testified that Moses was faithful in all His house – God’s entire house (Numbers 12:7; Hebrews 3:2, 5). Jesus was also faithful as a Son over God’s house (Hebrews 3:6). The Bible says Daniel, as governor in Babylon, was faithful – no error or fault was found in him (Daniel 6:4). Paul described Timothy as his beloved and faithful son in the Lord (1 Corinthians 4:17).
Be a faithful church worker. Jesus said, “And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?” (Luke 16:12 New Living Translation). Be loyal and committed to your pastor or leader. Don’t be a traitor like Judas Iscariot. Don’t be rebellious. You can’t be effective without faithfulness.
10. Don’t be proud because of the people’s attention you’re receiving or the prominence your church assignment is giving you. God’s work is not to show off. You must serve with humility. You must focus on God; don’t attract people’s attention to yourself. You must be the colt that Jesus is riding on, and you must know that any honour or applause by the people is not for you – be wise to divert any praise to Jesus. He alone must take the glory (Mark 11:7-10).
Consider any opportunity to serve in the church as a privilege. Don’t think that you’re irreplaceable. Nobody is indispensable. Hear the advice of Paul: “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (Romans 12:3 King James Version). You are a member of an assembly that belongs to the body of Christ. There are other members that God can use to do what you’re doing, and there are those who can’t do what they’re doing. In Romans 12:4-8, Paul compares the church to the human body, having many members and performing different functions. Perform your functions; don’t be proud.
Use your gifts with humility; don’t let God replace you. For every Saul, there is a David! “A man’s pride will bring him low, but the humble in spirit will retain honor” (Proverbs 29:23 New King James Version). Pride goes before destruction (Proverbs 16:18). Remember how Lucifer fell from heaven because of pride (Isaiah 14:12-16). Don’t forget how Nebuchadnezzar lost his throne and was humiliated before God later restored him (Daniel 4:29-37).
Be humble as you work in the house of God, no matter how greatly God is using you. If He stops using you, the difference will be clear. God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). Therefore, don’t let anything go to your head. Proverbs 11:2 says, “When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom” (New King James Version).
11. Be diligent. 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (New King James Version). Every Kingdom service requires diligence; there is no room for laziness. “The hand of the diligent will rule, but the lazy man will be put to forced labor” (Proverbs 12:24 New King James Version).The New Living Translation renders it thus: “Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.”
Has God assigned a particular work to you in the house of God? Don’t be slack in doing it. “Cursed be those who refuse to do the work the LORD has given them, who hold back their swords from shedding blood!” (Jeremiah 48:10 New Living Translation).
Do everything with all your heart and mind. Nehemiah said, “So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work” (Nehemiah 4:6 New King James Version). The Amplified Bible says, “The people had a heart and a mind to work.” Don’t do God’s work half-heartedly. “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 10:12 New King James Version).
12. Do everything as unto God. Don’t do your work in the house of God as if you are doing it for whoever gave you the assignment. “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him” (Colossians 3:17 New King James Version). Paul wrote in verse 23, “Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people” (New Living Translation). Though he was addressing slaves or servants on how to serve their earthly masters, the scripture is also applicable to those serving in the house of God,
You may be serving under a pastor or a group leader, but it is God you’re serving; you’re not serving a man. This kind of mindset will help you to endure any unpleasant situation on the job because you know it is God, your Father, that you’re serving, not any man. Therefore, nothing discourages you; nothing gets you frustrated. You give your best. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (New King James Version).
Don’t engage in eye service; don’t work for the praise of men (Colossians 3:22). God does not reward it. He only rewards heart service.
13. Your personal feelings or preferences should not be superior to the assignment you are given. You must subordinate your personal feelings and preferences to the details of the assignment you are given. Your feelings and preferences are not the determining factors. Obedience is the overriding factor.
Don’t do what you like. Do what you are asked to do. Don’t be a stubborn worker. Don’t have or pursue any hidden agenda. Follow instructions. Isaiah 1:19-20 says, “‘If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword’ For the mouth of the LORD has spoken” (New King James Version).
Don’t hesitate to ask for any clarification if the assignment is not clear. Don’t just rush to do the wrong thing, and later say, “I thought you asked me to…” That’s why sometimes, it may be good and appropriate for you to write down instructions regarding an assignment you’re given and read them out to the source of the instructions to be sure you heard him right, and also for him to be sure that he has told you exactly what he meant.
Things can escape your mind or become vague if you don’t write them down. The advantage is that if you’re not sure what exactly the instructions are, you can consult your notes. Do exactly what you’re told to do, not what you feel like doing or what you thought you were asked to do.
14. Never complain about the work you’re given. Even if the task is challenging, don’t grumble. Rather, go to God in prayer and receive divine wisdom and grace to accomplish it. Don’t use the time you should use to pray to be grumbling.
Don’t give service to God grudgingly. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says everyone should give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. This is talking about money or material things we give to God. The same principle applies to our service in the house of God.
Psalm 100:2 says, “Serve the LORD with gladness; come before His presence with singing” (New King James Version). It is useless to complain or grumble while you are still going to offer a service to God. God looks beyond our service; He looks at our hearts. “For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7 New King James Version).
If it is appropriate for you to seek help from the right quarters to get the job done, don’t hesitate to get approval to do so. But, by all means, avoid complaining or murmuring as you serve in the house of God. Philippians 2:14 says, “Do everything without complaining and arguing” (New Living Translation).
15. Don’t hate correction; be teachable. Nobody is perfect. Nobody knows everything. You need correction for you to grow and for you to be better. So learn to take correction humbly, and adjust – it is part of the learning process. Don’t react or withdraw because you’ve been corrected.
Proverbs 27:5 says, “An open rebuke is better than hidden love!” (New Living Translation). Be open to rebuke; don’t hate open rebuke. You should hear what you’ve done wrong so that you can improve, rather than being given the impression that everything is all right. Benefit from criticisms or corrections. “If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding” (Proverbs 15:31-32 New Living Translation).
Proverbs 29:1 says, “Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery” (New Living Translation). Be teachable and bendable. See what Proverbs 13:18 says: “If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored” (New Living Translation).
You need to ask your leader from time to time what areas you need improvement in or how you can do your assignment better. His timely and sincere correction will help you more than the commendation you may prefer.
16. Avoid procrastination. This can slow down God’s work. Time is crucial, and every work must be done not at your convenience, but according to the deadline given. Ecclesiastes 3:1 says that to everything, there is a season and a time for every purpose under the sun.
Where the assignment has been done and feedback is necessary, don’t delay it. Don’t postpone it till it is convenient for you. That may be too late. Immediate follow-up action may be necessary before the time you’ve proposed. A phone call, SMS, or similar means of communication may sometimes be enough.
See how Abraham acted promptly when he heard about the capture of Lot. He didn’t delay. Therefore, he was able to pursue and rescue him and the others captured along with Lot and his family. “Now when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his three hundred and eighteen trained servants who were born in his own house, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. He divided his forces against them by night, and he and his servants attacked them and pursued them as far as Hobah, which is north of Damascus. So he brought back all the goods, and also brought back his brother Lot and his goods, as well as the women and the people” (Genesis 14:14-16 New King James Version).
Also, David and his men, in 1 Samuel 30, didn’t waste time or procrastinate once God said David should pursue the Amalekites, who had taken captive the wives, sons, and daughters of David and his men. They pursued, overtook, and recovered all.
Soldiers act swiftly when necessary. You’re a soldier of Christ (2 Timothy 2:3b). As a good soldier of Christ, don’t delay kingdom operations.
17. Learn through observation and imitation. You can learn by observation and imitation. If you want to learn how to do something, watch carefully how others do it and try to imitate them. Observe how people do similar assignments you are given to do, especially those better than you. You can also watch how the person giving you the assignment does it. That doesn’t mean you can’t be creative. You don’t have to lose your identity or uniqueness. Hebrews 6:12 says you should ensure “that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (New King James Version).
Paul told the Philippians, “Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example” (Philippians 3:17 New Living Translation). There is nothing wrong with copying a good example, whether through reading or physical observation. The copies of the Bible were not as common in the early church as we have today. Paul told the Corinthians, “So I beg you to follow my example and do as I do” (1 Corinthians 4:16 Living Bible). He says again in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (New King James Version). Be sure that the person you’re observing and imitating is following Christ so that you don’t go astray. Don’t imitate anything contrary to what the Bible teaches.
18. Don’t be critical of your leaders and other team members. Avoid criticising your leader. Your leader is not perfect; neither are you. “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. ‘Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces’” (Matthew 7:1-6 New King James Version).
Do you remember Gehazi? He criticised his master; he faulted his judgment. He thought he was wiser than he was, but the result showed that he was foolish. “But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, ‘Look, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; but as the LORD lives, I will run after him and take something from him.’ So Gehazi pursued Naaman” (2 Kings 5:20-21 New King James Version). He collected gifts from Naaman, which his master had rejected. But he also collected Naaman’s leprosy!
Human beings, including Christians, are too quick to criticise others, but you have to be very careful, particularly when the person involved is your leader. Not because he cannot be wrong, but because you may not be the right person to correct him – there are those whose responsibility it is to correct him; let them do it.
Romans 14:4 says, “Who are you to condemn God’s servants? They are responsible to the Lord, so let him tell them whether they are right or wrong. The Lord’s power will help them do as they should” (New Living Translation). Verse 10 asks, “So why do you condemn another Christian? Why do you look down on another Christian? Remember, each of us will stand personally before the judgment seat of God” (New Living Translation).
If you become openly critical of your leader, you may deny him the confidence to lead you. If you become critical of your leader, you may also be unable to perform your best. That was the problem of the servant in Matthew 25. Out of the three servants, their master gave money, according to their abilities, to do business before he went on a long journey; he was the only one who didn’t make a profit with the money he was given.
The first and the second servants doubled the five bags of silver and the two bags of silver they were given, respectively. But the odd man out of the three dug a hole and kept there the one bag of silver he was given. The master was right to have given him the least amount!
Hear his harsh criticism of his master: “Sir, I know you are a hard man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth and here it is” (Matthew 25:24-25 New Living Translation). Did you see that? Was he not indirectly calling his master a thief? Yet, he continued to serve under him till this time. That was unfair.
Since he wasn’t lenient with his master in his criticism, the master was also not lenient with him in punishing him. “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! You think I’m a hard man, do you, harvesting crops I didn’t plant and gathering crops I didn’t cultivate? Well, you should at least have put my money into the bank so I could have some interest. Take the money from this servant and give it to the one with the ten bags of gold. To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who are unfaithful, even what little they have will be taken away. Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth’” (verses 26-30 New Living Translation). Be careful; don’t be critical of your leader.
If there are things you don’t understand, meet him politely for an explanation. You may discover that you’re wrong and he is right, or he may admit that he is wrong and even address the issue publicly later. But avoid a self-righteous and hypocritical attitude, a judgmental disposition, or unfair criticism. “Dear brothers and sisters, if another Christian is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself” (Galatians 6:1 New Living Translation).
Sometimes, some things are wrong with a leader – his personal life, his style, etc., that those under him are not pleased with. Prayers need to be offered to God concerning such a leader to transform him and give him victory.
Where it becomes inevitable to talk with the leader, the appropriate organ or body in the church or ministry must not shy away from it for the sake of the work of the Kingdom of God. The truth should be spoken in love (Ephesians 4:15). Sometimes, this works, but some other times, the leader may not receive the communication favourably. Arrogance in leadership is dangerous. A leader must always remember that he is accountable to God and the people he is leading. Being accountable includes being accessible.
In certain cases, a leader may have to report to the authority above him, and the Bible clearly states what such authority should do. 1 Timothy 5:19-20 says, “Do not listen to complaints against an elder unless there are two or three witnesses to accuse him. Anyone who sins should be rebuked in front of the whole church so that others will have a proper fear of God” (New Living Translation).
Also, don’t be critical of others you are working with. In other words, don’t be judgmental. If there are things you think they can do better, tell them in love and privately. This may be referred to as constructive criticism. Most people will appreciate that. Proverbs 15:31 says, “If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise” (New Living Translation). Don’t criticise fellow team members openly to make them look bad so that you can look good or better. Leave their judgment or evaluation to those they are accountable to.
19. Be honest in all things, including financial matters. A worker in the house of God should lead a life of integrity. Paul says in Ephesians 4:25, “Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another” (English Standard Version). As a Christian and church worker, speak the truth. Don’t be a liar or live a lie. Paul also says in Colossians 3:9-10, “Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator” (English Standard Version).
Honesty in financial matters is very important. Don’t steal God’s gold and silver. In other words, don’t steal God’s money. Some people have done that and have been caught; others may be doing that but are not yet caught. Beware of the love of money. “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:6-10 New King James Version). You cannot serve God and money (Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13).
The Bible specifically says a bishop/pastor/elder/overseer must not be greedy for money (1 Timothy 3:3; Titus 1:7). “Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money” (1 Timothy 3:8 New King James Version). But everyone, whether a pastor, usher, or someone making purchases for the church, must avoid greed or love of money. A church worker should not serve purposely for money or see his position as an opportunity to make money illegitimately. He cannot serve God and money. Paul said to elders or pastors, “Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God” (1 Peter 5:2 New Living Translation). Note the phrase “not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.” This phrase is also applicable to all workers in the house of God. They must not work for what they will get out of it, but because they are eager to serve God.
Church workers must use the money for the purpose it is meant – no mismanagement, diversion, misappropriation, or corruption. During the reign of King Jehoash of Judah, the temple was repaired. The king’s scribe and the high priest gave the money the people brought to the house of God to the construction supervisors to pay the workers. 2 Kings 12:15 says, “And they did not ask for an accounting from the men into whose hand they delivered the money to pay out to the workmen, for they dealt honestly” (English Standard Version). What a testimony! These construction supervisors were honest. Not all church workers today are honest or have integrity. If you are a church worker, be honest. Lead a life of integrity.
20. Be accountable. God is a God of accountability. That is why the Bible says, “So then each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12 New King James Version). Matthew 12:36 also says, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment” (New King James Version).
You must work in the house of God with the mindset that you’ll give account to the authority you’re serving under and also to God. Don’t work as if you’re the Alpha and Omega. Act responsibly, knowing you will be held liable for whatever is under your watch. Be ready to give an account. Be answerable.
In Luke 9:1-6, Jesus empowered his disciples and sent them out to preach the gospel, casting out demons and healing all diseases. In verse 10a, the Bible says, “And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done” (New King James Version). That’s how it should be.
Mark 6:30 reports a similar thing. “Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught” (New King James Version). In Luke 16:1-13, the master of the unjust steward decided to sack him over reports that he had been wasting his goods and asked him to give an account of his stewardship.
Who are you accountable to? Give an honest account. Don’t falsify figures; don’t distort reality. Don’t become unreachable or uncontrollable. Don’t act as if you’re not a man under authority. Remember what that centurion told Jesus? “For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it” (Matthew 8:9 New King James Version).
If you’re not accountable to man but claim to be accountable to God alone, you’re a dangerous person – dangerous to yourselves and dangerous to those around you. Hebrews 13:17 says, “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you” (New Living Translation).
Conclusion: I believe you have learnt some things from this message that will help you become a faithful worker in your church and the kingdom of God. These instructions will also enable you to help other believers become effective workers in the house of God and His kingdom.
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your heart to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life – your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your heart. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There, they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner, and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me, and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
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Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org
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